Independent on Sunday wins two awards for environment reporting

THE Independent on Sunday has won Newspaper of the Year in the British Environment and Media Awards - the most prestigious award in environmental journalism. The judges cited the IoS's "comprehensive and penetrating coverage, illuminated by several real exclusives" and added: "The work was insightful and well-presented, with a good range of topical stories, demonstrating in-depth investigative reporting and follow-up."

The awards - organised by the Media Natura Trust and sponsored by a remarkable partnership of firms and environmental groups - including WWF-UK, Unilever, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the National Grid - are designed to "honour the extremely high standards achieved by environment journalists and broadcasters".

Geoffrey Lean, the IoS's Environment Correspondent, was a runner-up as Journalist of the Year. His expose, which led to the last-minute abandonment of the marketing of a self-cooling drink can which would release gases that cause global warming, came second in the Campaign of the Year category. Yesterday Rosie Boycott, Editor of the Independent and IoS, said: "The Independent on Sunday has always put the environment first and in Geoffrey Lean has an outstanding commentator. We will continue to ensure that the IoS leads the field in this area of crucial importance to us all."